The Washington critic., 1887-07-28
THE PARTY OF THE FUTURE.

THE PARTY OF THE FUTURE.
Mr.. Gorham is right in regard to the
position of THE CmTIc towards the
platform of the American party of Call.
fornia-that we do not indorse 1t In de.
tail, but only Its spirit in general way.
Particular reference is had TO the
naturalization laws, Of which this plat.
form demands an unconditional repeal.
THE CRITIc is unable TO understand
why such plank Is asserted AMI has
seen no explanation Of 1t by the Anarl.
can partys managers. The iuferenceis
that the threat Of such n repeal is In.
tended TO operate as disCnHragemont
10 all foreign immigration, and 1t may
have been thrown In as Il concession
TO the old original Know Nothing ele-
ment Of the party.
But as Mr. Gorham forcibly sug-
gesls, such policy is "unsouud, uu.
American aud uncallcd for.
We have directed attention to the
California movement not us move
ment altogether to be approved, but as
indicating strong tendency on the
part of the public mind to take meas.
ures Of defense against growing and
very dangerous evil.
Allusion has been made to a similar
movement In Philadelphia, and to the
American Alliance, q secret organl2a.
iion, having Its headquarters in New
York, and numbering many thousands
Of members, but TO the plans, princi.
pies and working methods of neither
of these are We prepared to give as
= sent.
The American party of the future Is
yet to be formed Existing organiza.
tions may furnish valuable suggestions,
but they do not furnish models. They
show that the necessity of Legislation
for the further restriction of the evils
of indlscriminate immigration Is be-
coming universally recognized, aud
that the American influence, concen.
trating itself In some tangible, syste-
matte shape, will become an important
factor in our national politics.
1t is our belief that when the time
comes for the organization Of the new
party, all OF the obnoxious features
of Know. Nothingism will be discarded.
1t will never be secret, oath.bound
organization; 1t will never make re-
llgion test of membership; 1t will
tolerate ali forms of opinion not incon.
sistent with the spirit and maintenance
of our free institutions; 1t will not call
for repeal Of the naturalization laws,
but for an honest and faithful enforce.
ment of the laws as they now stand
1t will invite and welcome the worthy
foreign Immigrant as before, but upon
certain wholesome conditions that any
intelligent, well intentioned foreigner
will fully understand and appreciate.
SIXTY CITIZENS Of St. Louis bore au
invitation TO the President 10 visit tha,
city; Kansas City sent delegation OF
eighty; Memphis has appointed com
mittee of one hundred, Cincinnati Is
mastering still larger party; st. Pau
proposes to he better represented thar
any of It's predecessors, and the Mayo
CT Chicago has just announced the ap
pointment of a committee of two hun
dred. This Is pleasant for Washing
ton. The visitors are all most welcom,
and most Hospitality received. Tn,
larger the delegations grow the NOR
highly Washington will appreciate tn,
visits, but the rapidity of the recen
ratio of increase suggests an over
whelming prospect Of moving multi
tudes in the future crossing and re
crossing the continent bearing invita-
tions. The President appears to b.
appreciative, also, and the indication
are that he is inclined to accept all tn
Invitations offered 1t Is not possible
that the Pacific Coast will be so inhos
pitable as to fail to join the chorus o
voices pleading for the President, ant
1t Is whispered that Queen Kapiolan
expects the Chief Magistrate to return
her call.
A NEW organization has been formed
in Washington, which is destined t
become great suCcess-the Brent
wood Riding Club. While ridin!
l.. IL.